DAVAO CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has temporarily suspended the franchise of the Metro Shuttle bus company for a month following the deadly collision in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley in which seven persons were killed and 30 others were injured last Monday.
The Metro Shuttle Bus company is also facing charges for multiple deaths, physical injuries, and damage to property as well as breach of franchise condition in the aftermath of the road mishap.
LTFRB Region 11 (Davao) Director Cattleya Acaylar said Tuesday the bus company was also found operating outside its franchise area as the unit involved in the accident was only allowed to ply the Davao City-Tagum City route.
Acaylar said Metro Shuttle, which has 34 buses plying the Davao-Tagum route, will be required to train its drivers and conductors on road safety before its suspension could be lifted.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Philippine National Police Regional Office 11 director, said they are investigating the cause of the accident.
“We cannot predict accident but we can also avoid it. If its human error, or if there are lapses from the management due to poor maintenance of the vehicle, we will let the management answer and account for that,” Morales said.
Initial investigation showed the incident occurred after the front tire of the Metro Shuttle bus exploded, causing it to swerve to the lane of another passenger bus.
The Metro Shuttle was bound for Veruela, Agusan del Sur from Tagum while the Bachelor Bus was heading towards Tagum from New Bataan, Compostela Valley. (PNA)
